DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS thread

This is what I don't get, their short-term offer has to be close to 5/$200M (if not more), and there would probably be an opt-out after say 3 years. The Phillies probably have an opt-out after 5 in their 10-year offer. If you're the Dodgers why not just massively front load the deal where he gets 70% of the ~$310M in the first 5 years, then probably opts-out unless he's awful.

 

Exactly. This “it’s a short term deal only” stuff has me thinking that the first few years of this thing would be heavily front-loaded so he could opt out as he gets into his 30’s, but I bet the offer would still be 10 years. If they miss at this point, I would bet it is cause he wants to play somewhere else, or a team like the Phillies do something stupid and offer him the moon. The Dodgers jumping back in now means they’re serious. If they give Pollock 5, they’re not going to be averse to giving Harper 8-10.

 

One issue is that you are still taking on that added risk. You can assume he would opt out, but that's never a guarantee, and the scenario where he doesn't opt out is the same scenario where he's a bad player.

Now one argument in favor of a 10/$310 deal over a 5/$200 deal is that the AAV is lower, which saves luxury tax money, so it's probably worth exploring. The league does have to approve any contract, which is what stops a player from signing a crazy front loaded contract with an opt out that is clearly built to lower the AAV. For example, a 3 year deal with an opt out after 1 year where a player makes $20 million, $1 million, $1 million would never fly. I don't know where the actual line is on front-loading a contract though.

 

Of course their is a scenario where he doesn't opt-out, that's the risk you take.

They backload deals to benefit the orgs short-term financial structure all of the time, looking at you Giancarlo, the Dodgers even did it with JT, Kenley and Dick Mountain to varying degrees, what's the difference in flipping it?

 

They could also do opt out's after the BIG money is handed out and then renegotiate if his career starts to flutter. Say if you opt out, we will re-sign you for the length of the contract at 101 M instead of 95M and get their AAV down. Not to mention a slew of other things they could do as well.

 

Bryce Rumor Roundup

• A report late last night from Jesse Sanchez states that the Dodgers top brass met with Bryce Harper at his Las Vegas home yesterday after the game.

• A few reports are that this was a due diligence meeting and not much else. Seeing if his price has come down which it supposedly has not.

• The Phillies are said to be the only team at this point that is offering a long term deal to Harper and still expect to sign the All Star OF'er.

• There is some speculation this morning that the Dodgers got involved due to the Giants potentially taking the lead on Harper. Some feel that if this is the case, the Dodgers are merely trying to make the Giants either come up in years or AAV.

• According to David Vassegh and some others, the Dodgers offer appears to be lingering around 5 years, but this is purely speculation.

• Harper is said to still be planning to meet with more teams over the coming days, so we may not be close to this thing yet.

• Camello is saying that his source thinks this was a ploy by Boras to get the Phillies to raise their offer. Remember, the Dodgers have multiple Boras clients getting closer to FA.

 

The ripple effects throughout the org would be somewhat big if they landed Harper. Probably means Verdugo and Joc are shipped out and could mean the Dodgers turn their attention to landing another starter. I still don't think they sign him, but the game of musical chairs that would take place if they did would be somewhat interesting to watch.

 

It's flipping it and adding an opt-out, by doing that you could add extra years that neither side expects to pick up and the AAV is lowered. Back loading a contract would do the opposite in regards to luxury tax AAV, by increasing the AAV on the early years. I'm not completely poo-pooing the idea, just mentioning I have read that the league approves all contracts and that is one thing they look for. So there is a theoretical limit on how much a contract can be front-loaded, but it’s up to the league on a case by case basis.

 

borass is using us and we want to drive up the price on the gnats
not going to allow myself to get my hopes up

 

:eating:

 

I'm the opposite. I'm ignoring all the warning signs, and in my mind Harper is already a Dodger.

I will surely spiral into a deep pit of depression when reality strikes, but for a moment I was happy.

 

Another L waiting to happen. News of them being back in it for Harper, but taking the L would certainly make us feel better..........not

You either get it done or you don't. Zero cred for " trying ". Nobody wants to hear any of that shit after back to back 2nd place finishes. And that's probably what this is coming down to..another 2nd place finish

 

Yeah, I think this is more us just doing Boras a favor in hopes that it helps with something else down the line. Who knows though, maybe Walter is pissed that people are calling him cheap and he wants to do something about it. They could honestly sign Harper and there will still be folks calling them cheap for not going all in and trading for Kluber and signing Kimbrel too.

 

yeah, but if we face Hunter Strickland in the playoffs, we'll be golden.

 

We know the way the season ends regardless. Just give us some new toys to play with.

 

Borass is using us to get a higher number from the Phillies. Dodgers are playing nice because of the players Borass represents.

That’s all this is.

 

Only problem is that Harper just turned 26, so there's still hope for him.
Joc has been better than Harper in the postseason thus far..are we supposed to believe that's going to hold up?
And we're still talking about an .800 OPS for Harper in the post, which is above average and would make him one of LAD's best postseason hitters, as we've seen